Few Know More About Watches than Paolo MaraiAnd Paolo Marai Thinks the Future Looks Bright

It’s hard to find a more knowledgeable representative of the watch industry than Paolo Marai. Paolo is President and CEO of Vertime and is responsible for some of the world’s most recognizable watch brands, including Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Versus.

Mr. Marai is very positive about the future of the watch industry, but he sees a major shift occurring in how timepieces are perceived and used. Interviewed during a visit to the prestigious Couture 2013 Watch and Jewelry Show in Las Vegas, Marai said, “More and more, watches are no longer used for timekeeping functions, they are becoming accessories, which means that the brand and the design are becoming more relevant than what is inside the watch.”

Working closely with top designers like Donatella Versace, Marai is bringing this philosophy to customers; with some of the most innovative, fashion-forward designs the watch industry has ever seen. Mr. Marai says that sometimes it takes up to a year, working with fashion superstars like Donatella, to finalize a new design, but that the wait is worth it. “There is a new generation and a new type of consumer,” says Marai. “I believe the future will be based more on fashion brands, rather than on traditional watch manufacturing.”

To meet the needs of these new fashion-forward customers, Paolo Marai is taking Vertime boldly into the future with a new emphasis on fashion and style. From the edgy youthful spirit of Versus, to the luxurious opulence of Versace, and the refined, subtle elegance of Salvatore Ferragamo, Vertime is meeting the desires of fashionistas and watch aficionados alike with fabulous new timepieces designed for the 21st Century. What will this watchmaking power player do next? You’ll probably see the answer on a fashionable wrist in the very near future.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

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If you attended the Couture Show this year, it didn’t take long to discover that everything you needed to know about fine timepieces was located in the Chambertin 2 Ballroom.

Couture 2013 is over, but the glitter and shine from this spectacular jewelry and watch show will linger throughout the year. For many attendees, the Couture Show, held every year at the luxurious Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, has become the most important event on their calendar.

For Gevril Group, the Couture Show has become just as essential as the more established Baselworld show in Switzerland. According to Gevril President Samuel Friedmann, Couture is more effective at meeting the needs of North American jewelers and retailers. “This show is mandatory for American luxury retailers,” says Friedmann. These retailers certainly got a treat when they visited The Chambertin 2 Ballroom, home to Gevril Group during the five-day show.

Showcasing some of the industry’s most popular watch brands, Gevril Group’s convenient location, just a few feet away from the Couture registration desk, provided attendees with an unprecedented opportunity to discover emerging trends and hot new fashion ideas. “This was our most successful show ever,” said Gevril Executive Vice President David Yurowitz. “Customers are taking a new look at our company and are very eager to participate in all the projects and brands we have rolled out. The success of Couture 2013 was a record-breaking achievement for Gevril and we see this as a stepping stone for the future of our company.”

Paul Ziff, president of Ferragamo Timepieces in the United States, concurs. “There was a definite buzz in the Chambertin 2 Ballroom as customers and prospects gathered to view our Gevril collection of brands,” says Ziff. “The new Ferragamo Lungarno automatics and the fashion-forward Minuetto line were particularly well received by the press and retailers. Bloomingdales buyers even made a point during their appointment to say that they are very proud and excited to have just launched the Ferragamo timepiece line in eight Bloomingdales locations with more to follow.”

The Versace and Versus displays were both popular destinations for jewelers and retailers. Kari Allen, President of Versace Timepieces for the USA and Caribbean, had her best year ever at Couture. She attributes her success to the great teamwork exhibited by the Gevril staff. “It takes a lot of effort throughout our organization to achieve our goals and I very much appreciate all the support,” says Allen.

Miriam Tress, representing Gevril’s popular Fortis brand, says Gevril Group had lots to be proud of during Couture 2013. “The Chambertin 2 ballroom was exquisite and served as an impressive showcase for a wider variety of watch brands than any other exhibitor, says Miriam. “I observed a constant excitement and buzz in the air from our many current and new customers. You could see respect and admiration for Gevril Group and the values they stand for.”

From the opening night concert by popular rockers Neon Trees, to the highly anticipated Couture Design Awards, Couture 2013 was an event to savor and remember. Once again, Couture was joined by the prestigious Watch Journal to present Couture Time, a carefully curated collection of the world’s finest timepieces.

“There is no substitute for seeing, touching, and admiring one of the most diverse collections of fine timepieces available today,” says Samuel Friedmann. “People are amazed at how many fine brands we offer, and Couture gives us the opportunity to show these customers how we can help build their business, both before and after the sale.”

Las Vegas has always been known for putting on a good show, and Couture 2013 was no exception. This prestigious event has become an essential destination for anyone serious about selling luxury goods. That’s a big reason why Gevril Group plans to be back again next year.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Like us on Facebook. Reader comments are welcome.

Live from Couture Las Vegas

Exhibitors, retailers and media from around the world are in Las Vegas this week for Couture – the most prestigious U.S. based watch and jewelry event of the year. Couture runs from May 30 to June 3 at the lavish Wynn Resort.

Now in its 17th year, Couture is thriving. Last year the number of timepiece exhibitors at the show doubled, drawing even greater attention to the current assembly of renowned international participants.

For some, Couture is a first look at the hottest watches of the year. Here is a taste of what guests are talking about this week.

Versace Vanitas

The Versace Vanitas cultivates elements from its ethereal cousins, the Reve and Eon collections, into a glamorous new design replete with quintessential Versace details along with a few new ones like an enamel dial with relief baroque pattern strewn with studs or diamonds. The deluxe white version pictured has diamonds on the dial and on the flange. The bezel is also enamel. The IP rose gold case is 40 mm in diameter and the movement is a Swiss made quartz Ronda 762.3. Dials are available in red, black or white enamel and the straps are available in red, black or white leather.

Versace DV One Skeleton

Versace’s clever and modish skeleton design combines the brand’s most iconic watch case – the DV One – with its celebrated fashion sensibility. Finishing techniques such as linear graining, polishing and perlage are visible on the Dubois Dépraz chronograph module and base movement. The case is a confident 43.5 mm and made from an alloy of ceramic and titanium. The result is an extremely hard and lightweight substance that is highly resistant to scratches. The bracelet and bezel are also made of ceramic titanium. The DV One Skeleton is produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces.

Ferragamo Lungarno

Ferragamo continues to expand in the mechanical watch category with the three-handed automatic Lungarno. The bezel, which riffs on designs by legendary watchmaker Gérald Genta, has all the qualities of a classic sports watch with an equal amount of Florentine styling. The brushed stainless steel case is 44 mm in diameter and the bezel is IP gold. The champagne-colored soleil dial pictured is one of three available; black and silver are the others. The dark brown leather strap is an elegant complement, but sportier steel or two-tone bracelets are also available.

Ferragamo Minuetto

Ferragamo introduced its Minuetto collection at Baselworld 2013. Minuetto, the Italian word for minuet, is a style of dance. Accordingly, the Minuetto collection introduces motion by way of a rotating gancino – the iconic symbol of Ferragamo. The gancino holds 32 diamonds and moves by way of a circular guilloche-patterned mount. The watch is 36 mm in diameter and available in either steel, IP rose gold or a two-tone combination. In addition to saffiano leather straps, the Minuetto can be had on a stainless steel bracelet. Minuetto watches contain Swiss made Ronda 762 quartz movements.

Gevril Avenue of Americas

Catch the blue trend with the newest watch in the Avenue of the Americas collection. The unmistakable 1930s deco styling of the 44 x 34 mm rectangular case and bezel are augmented by the addition of a jazzy blue PVD-coating, which also appears on the crown and buckle. The dial is dark blue as is the leather strap. Celebrated for the comfort of its slightly curved case, this three-handed model with a date function also boasts the dependability of an ETA 2892 movement – one of the most robust automatic movements available today.

Fortis Spacematic

Spacematic watches first appeared in the 1960s as a tribute to manned space travel and stand out for their sturdy utilitarian construction and highly legible dials. The latest model is 40 mm in diameter and has a brushed stainless steel case with an open-dial design, exposing the date and bilingual (English or German) day wheels. The movement is a robust ETA 2836-2. A range of straps in silicone, textile or leather, as well as a stainless steel bracelet provide additional versatility.

Versus Agadir

This jewelry-inspired design is named after the Moroccan coastal town of Agadir and features a red dial with a lion silhouette and matching lion silhouette charms. The bracelet, to which the charms attach, is composed of round chain links and is rich with ornamental appeal. The stainless steel case is coated with IP yellow gold, adding to the watch’s fiery personality. Only the delicate size of its 36 mm case provides counterpoise. The heart of this lion is a casbah-rocking Citizen 2025 quartz movement.

Versus Manhattan

Play it safe? Not Versus. The bright red Versus Manhattan bi-compax chronograph is a large 44 mm timekeeper that is sure to catch the attention of any warm-blooded watch lover. The unusual chronograph sub-dial placement is noteworthy, with a small 30-minute counter at 10 o’clock side-by-side with a large perpetual seconds counter at 2 o’clock. A large open-date wheel at 6 o’clock maintains the theme of good legibility. The quartz movement is an ISA Swiss 8171/202 with patented double rotor motor. The case is made of stainless steel and the strap is made of matching red rubber.

The Couture experience is defined by more than luxury goods and rising stars: it is also about providing an environment conducive to building lasting partnerships. Sun-filled Las Vegas provides an exquisite backdrop. Spirits run high and the mood is magical – it is no surprise that attendance is on the rise, buyers arrive motivated and business is lively. You have got to be here!

Gevril Group will be at Couture from start to finish in the Chambertin 2 Ballroom. You can reach Gevril Group by email or by calling 1-866-425-9882. During the event, call Ruth Dombroff at 914-689-4360.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sports timepieces at a wide range of price points. Gevril Group also operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Gevril Group by email or by calling 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Like us on Facebook. Reader comments are welcome.

Mother’s Day 2013 is on May 12th

Mother’s Day is almost here. This year, forget about getting Mom something she needs. Get her something she’ll like instead. Fine timepieces have never been more popular and just about any Mom will appreciate this Spring’s “must have” fashion accessory. A watch makes a personal statement, and with so many exciting styles available, there’s certain to be a watch that your Mom will be proud to wear. Just take a look at the selections below. Sporty, dressy, traditional, or Avant-garde; we’re confident that there’s a watch in your price range that your Mom will treasure.

Versus Sertie

If Mom is a fan of sophisticated glamor, she’ll love the multi-faceted Versus Sertie. Versace Versus watches are known for their modern, edgy spirit, and the sophisticated Sertie will add a unique glitter and gleam to any woman’s wrist. The faceted cut glass bezel adds a jewel-like quality to the classic two-hand configuration, and the surprisingly affordable timepiece is available in five fashion forward colors.

Jowissa Pyramid

Another variation on the crystalline theme is the spectacular Jowissa Pyramid. The entire crystal of this stylish timepiece is made of tempered mineral glass in a pyramid cut. This unique shape resembles the lower half of a brilliant-cut diamond turned upside down, giving the design a gemstone quality that can be dressed up or down.

Laurens Colorato

For the sporting Mom, there is the versatile Laurens Colorato. Available in an array of bright primary colors, these attractively styled watches feature a colorful plastic case with a coordinated unidirectional rotating bezel and a protected crown. It’s never been easier to coordinate the watch on your wrist with the outfit you’re wearing. With the sporty and affordable Colorato, you could make a strong case for buying Mom all four colors.

Johan Eric Arhus

If your Mom appreciates the minimal, modern look, she’ll love the Johan Eric Arhaus. This refined fusion of stainless steel, mother of pearl, and sparkling Swarovski crystals is absolutely stunning. The modern, minimal three-hand design is available in stainless steel, IP black, IP brown, and IP rose gold and can be fitted with your choice of a handsome leather strap, or an integrated metal mesh band.

Giulio Romano Rimini

The colorful and whimsical Giulio Romano Rimini will appeal to the woman who isn’t afraid to show the world that she knows her own mind. The Rimini’s artfully articulated dial is rich with nuance and detail and gives the watch a personality all its own. The unique looking mother-of-pearl dial has been specially molded to create raised three-dimensional numbers that are available in both white and painted multi-colored versions.

Gattinoni Elettra

For the Mom that lives for ethereal beauty and sensual luxury, there is the dreamlike Gattinoni Elettra. This fashionable and funky original features a chapter ring encrusted with Swarovski crystals surrounded by a bezel in the shape of the trademark Gattinoni logo. With an asymmetrical three-hand configuration, a subtle sunray dial and a patterned planetarium strap, this is a timepiece designed to evoke strong emotions.

Versace Vanity Chrono

If your Mom really wants to stand out in a crowd, she’ll enjoy wearing the spectacular Versace Vanity Chrono. This luxurious timepiece features Versace’s iconic Greek key pattern around the dial, the brand’s trademark Versace studs with a Medusa in relief on the band, and is available in a choice of seven fashion forward colors. For the woman who expects the very best, there is even a half pave version with 32 diamonds, or a full pave version with 64 diamonds.

How To Buy

A fine watch makes a fabulous gift for any Mom. Remember that it’s never out of fashion to spoil your Mom on Mother’s Day, so start looking for a timepiece that matches your own Mom’s unique personality and style today. Mother’s Day is almost here. The time is right to look for a reputable watch retailer and find a watch that makes your Mom remember how much you appreciate her every day.

For help with your decision or with making your purchase, contact Maria by email or call her at 845-425-9882.

About Gevril Group

Gevril Group, directed by company founder and long-time creative force in the watch business Samuel Friedmann, is the exclusive US representative for select European watch brands, distributing and servicing luxury, fashion and sporty timepieces at a wide range of price points. Additionally, Group Gevril operates a full-service watch repair department staffed by master Swiss watchmakers. Contact Maria, Customer Service Representative, by email or call her at 845-425-9882.

Please subscribe to the Gevril Group newsletter and blog updates. Like us on Facebook. Reader comments are welcome.